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Show Wednesday August 17, 1994 The Summer Chronicle health from page 1 package of amendments to present to both Mitchell and Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole. Participants said their main concern was coming up with a way to slow the growth of health spending. But Sen. John said they were also seekBreaux, size of the benefit packreduce the to ing age. One possibility is that the elderly would get prescription drug coverage only if they joined a health maintenance organization or other managed-car- e plan, Breaux indicated. Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke at a rally at Capitol Hill where Families USA unveiled a clock indicating how many people have lost health insurance since the Senate began its debate. The count, which does not adjust for those who regain coverage, was more than 500,000 and growing by 51 a minute. "We can see the numbers ticking away behind us" Mrs. Clinton said. "It really is a question of security. Millions know what it means to live on the edge of personal security." Republicans acknowledged they were losing a public relations batde to Democrats over the length of their opening statements against Mitchell's bill. But after the last few GOP members finished their speeches, colleagues said they would not object to begin voting on amendments. Sen. Phil Gramm, predicted that Mitchell soon would be pleading for the amendments to stop. "When people know what is in this bill, this bill is dead." Emerging from the mainstream said group, Sen. John Kerry, cost containment was the critical issue. D-La- ., "I don't think you can ram a health care reform proposal down die Senate's throat," he said. The mainstream group included Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont, the sole Republican sponsor of the original Clinton health bill, as well as GOP health experts such as John Danforth of Missouri and Dave Durcnberger of Minnesota. Also in the group were Democrats Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, Dianne Feinstein of California and Bill Bradley of New Jersey as well as Republicans Aden Specter of Pennsylvania and Mark Hatfield of Oregon. Breaux said they were grappling with cost containment, the size of the benefit package and how consumers' rights would be enforced under die health legislation. Republicans earlier had criticized Mitchell's bill for promising $95 billion in new prescription drug benefits to the elderly over a period of 10 years and $48 billion for a new home health care program. Of the elderly, Breaux said, "We want to make sure they have a prescription drug benefit package available to them." But he said managed care "seems to be the direction we're going." The conservative GOP senators attacked President Clinton's recent assurance: "You can keep your own plan or pick a business whose health plans stray from a government-prescribeset of bend efits." Separately, Sens. Sam Nunn, ., Pete Domenici, David Boren, and Robert Bennett, s bill along were preparing a the lines of one offered in the House last week by Southern Democrats and bare-bone- Republicans. --Christopher Connell Associated Press aroinne from page Myers. One top vote counter. Rep. Bill said the House Richardson, would revisit the $33 billion measure Thursday. That would be one week after lawmakers voted 225-21to block the an unexpected blow that legislation derailed a top administration priority and made the White House look weak as it struggled for its goal a healthcare bill. "The crime bill has now equaled the healthcare bill in its immediate political importance," Richardson said. One Democrat who voted last week to block the rule that would have allowed debate emerged from a White House session with Clinton, Panetta and Vice President Al Gore saying he might said this switch Rep. Cleo Fields, ., was major concern obtaining assurances from the aclministration that the death penalty would not be applied disproportionately to minorities. "There's a strong possibility I may vote for the rule if I feel a little more confident and comfortable with how we deal with capital punishment," Fields said. The measure would ban 19 kinds of assault weapons and require life imprisonment for violent felons convicted three times. It would also provide billions for prison construction, and provide partial funding toward hiring 100,000 police officers and for crime prevention programs. The White House has said Clinton is willing to compromise but is insisting on retention of a strong assault weapons ban and money for extra police officers and D-N.- 0 D-La- prevention efforts. Richardson said that in hopes of garnering new supporters, Democrats might (r mmmmm Explore . d ., d (Phonos! A A Financial aid available to those who qualify 6 month daytime or 1 year evening program UIAHC0I1EGE0F MmGMHERAPY for enrollment information Please call (801) and a 1 994-9- 5 catalogue or stop by our new facility. 521-33- UCMT Aug. 17 The Foothill Librarv, 1135 S. 2100 E., will host "String Fever," a countryblyegrass band, as part of their "Concerts by the Creek" series. The concert begins at 7 p.m., is open to the public and is free of charge. Aug. 19 The Foothill Library will host a reception from p.m. with artist Richard Dayhuff, whose work is on display from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30. The exhibit, titled "Wood Sculptures," is free and open to the public. 7-- 8 Bring your "mystery bugs" and Dr. Eric Rickart will identify them in a special "Bug I.D." afternoon sponsored by the Utah Museum of Natural History. The event is included with admission to the museum's current exhibit, "Backyard Monsters." The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Aug. 21 "Gin Doctors," "Spin Blossoms," and "Cracker" will perform at Wolf Mountain (formerly Parkwest). Tickets are available at all Smithtix outlets. Arrive early and carpool. No cameras, coolers or containThe 1971 musical, Godspell, will be presented at the Edge dance club in Provo. Tickets are $6 and i in are available at Provo, Crandall Audio in Orem, or at the door an hour before the show. All proceeds go to charity. Hogi-Yog- Aug. 24 The University of Utah Neuropsychiatry Institute will present The Sundance Children's Theatre's production of Finding Home at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the University Neuropsychiatry Institute's outside amphitheater at 501 Chipeta Way in Research Park. These performances are free to the public. To reserve space, call w njvi i vuumITi mm accrecmea NationaHy accredited through ACCET Aft hvents ers. Good Friends a career as a Licensed Massage Therapist: a House-approve- Great Food, Helping and healing others Rewarding and satisfying work Flexible schedule The fastest growing health field in America At 1 well get votes wherever we can," said White House spokeswoman Dee Dee consider removing some weapons from die gun ban and trimming some prevention spending. Democrats see the election-yea- r measure, a compromise between the House and Senate, as their answer to voters who put crime at the top of their lists of concerns. Republicans want the prevention spending slashed, and they say the bill omits tough requirements such as notification of neighbors of convicted sex offenders and minimum sentences for many drug dealers. "The American people know cavalierly throwing more money at the crime problem isn't the answer," said Rep. John Mica, The entire measure was shelved last week when 58 Democrats joined all but 1 1 Republicans in opposition. GOP leaders said they expected that several of their 1 1 mavericks would vote to block the measure this week. White House officials and congressional leaders were focusing their efforts on the 10 Democratic members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Fields, who opposed the measure last week. They objected to its capital punishment provisions and its lack of language aimed at ensuring the death penalty is not applied unfairly to minorities." Democrats were also aiming at the 19 Republicans who opposed the measure last week after supporting the assault weapons ban and the House version of the crime bill last spring. One of them, Rep. Christopher said he opposed the comSmith, because it added measure promise House-passethe version. to spending He said he had not been contacted by the White House, but he asserted that Clinton is "poisoning the waters" and risking annoyance among GOP supporters by his aggressive campaign for the bill. - 30 583-250- 25 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 25-2- 6 ijuu... im BLOOD DRIVE Wednesday Aug. 16th EAST BALLROOM 1 (i) to UNION 9AM-1P- M Aug. Red Butte Garden and Arboretum sponsors a series of special events entitled "Earth's Gardens" that will feature presentations by Jim of the PBS Wilson, series, Victory Garden, live entertainment, tours of the new gardens and facilities, and an outdoor festival. The festival will begin Aug. 26 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is open to Red Butte members. Memberships are available for $25 for individuals, $35 for couples and $50 for families. The festivities will continue Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are open to the public for $3 for adults, $2 for children. Members are free. For more information, call 581 IRIS. co-ho- -- flip (I to Whuff 3 |